Stanlow

I want to create new shapes and patterns from unconventional sources, taking forgotten elements and using it in design. To do this I have look at things that appear different to their function.

Stanlow oil refinery is a brilliant example of what I have been looking at, especially at night. The structure and appearance is a metal maze of piping and barrels. However, when dark outside, the safety lights create a mystical and enchanting feel to the otherwise ugly complex. I am going to explore these shapes and structures and apply them to my work.

 

 

 

Colour and Shape

I have begun research into work that is made from unconventional materials and the effects these can create. I have found that the more ever day the subject the more exciting the outcomes are.

Ai Weiwei

This re-interpretation of 'forever bicycles' was exhibited in 2011 in Toronto. It is made up of 3144 identical bicycles that are interconnected to create a 3D structure, it becomes alive at night due to the added lights. The multiples create a euphoric colourful illumination that has the feel of movement and a fluidity to it. The cross hatching of the metal draws the eye in and replaces the shape of a bicycle. 

Megan Mosholder 

The series of luminous twine installations create a bright and enticing visual to a mundane surrounding. She creates this work through the simple materials of nylon string and nails. These taught strings are painted with glow-in-the-dark paint then braided and interwoven into a mesh-like fabric that is suspended in curved configurations. It creates a strong juxtaposition from the rural surroundings to the luminous areas, in a futuristic spiderweb style.  

Moses Hacmon

The collection of images that show the 'faces of water' are an incredible end point to 11years of research and experimenting. This artist has been working on a way to capture the flow of water, not in a reflection or in a space but as itself. By creating a fluid film made from nano-particles, he has been able to register the water's movement and imprint this onto a surface. These create negatives which he has transformed into positive images. The final images are beautiful and captivating, explaining how water moves and the shapes it creates. The use of such a simple medium has created an incredible outcome, I am going to explore how simple materials can transform into something completely unexpected. 

Collaboration

My work so far has kept to black, white and grey styles, however I feel this is making the images flat so I want to add colour. Finding colour can be quite difficult so I have collaborated with Victoria Young Jameson as she works with relationships through colour. With her colour video and my maquettes we took a series of photographs, using the angle of the projector and the shutter speed to of camera to create these images. 

These images are successful, which I feel is from having the background as black instead of white. This adds more depth into the photos and makes the colour burst. The sections with many small multiple lines are the most interesting areas to me, they seem to create tunnels and dimensions within the photo.

Architecture

Cinema Center - Madrid  

The architects Churtichaga and Quadra Salcedo were given the task in 2009 to transform an old slaughter house into a cinema center in Legazpi, Madrid. Within two years they completed this task and created a complex of buildings that were both practical to film and also visually stunning. The design work was based on three inspirations:

- the magical backlight and contrast of the films

- a childhood fascination with basketry and weaving

- technical infinite geometries 

Their final outcome clearly combines each of these elements, creating a building that feels like another vortex. The photographs really interest me, the framing of the light to dark creates great depth in the image.

Sou Fujimoto

These images are from the master plans for a souk mirage, a new and futuristic building that is made up of one shape but multiplied. The elements that make up this building will be the same but different sizes to create a modular system of arches. The tonal changes from light to dark in the imagery caught my eye, creating a seemingly mystical building. 

Metropolis

My work is focussing on creating new shapes and imagery which has a sense of many layers, be that physical or shadowed. To expand my research I watched the 1927 film Metropolis, directed by Fritz Lang. This film explores a futuristic city with a strong divide between the working class and the city planners. The stills taken from this are fitting with my project and interesting to see how images have been built up, creating an entire new city.  

Cut and Fold

Looking at artist's use of shadow has inspired me to do the same within my work. I have experimented with cutting and folding plain paper, cutting in straight lines work well but other shapes fall apart when folded. Through these pieces I have changed the length and thickness of the cuts, creating different layers of shelves. When lit and photographed the shadows worked even better then I thought, depending on the  direction of the light each maquette can produce multiple shadow patterns. 

Inspiration - Travelling Asia

This summer I have spent 10 weeks travelling Asia, moving around Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. I have experienced and visited some incredible places, which have inspired my next project.

The place that I feel most attracted my eye was Angkor Wat in Cambodia. The angular buildings with blends of decaying colour create levels and surfaces that I want to use to create textured wallpapers and installations. 

Boats

The easy guide to building a boat has been tried and tested with great success. These are images of the final idea, taking the day time activity into the night time. The boats can be made in pop up design spaces around the festival, these can then be sailed down the river to create floating installations. The paper is biodegradable, so will not harm the canal or anything living in it.  

Guerilla Gardening

Guerilla Gardening

The seed bomb idea has lead to guerilla gardening. These projects work with seed bombs to create pockets of colour and life around cities, originating in London. This is what we aim to replicate in our festival, creating this promotional poster to encourage participation through our festival. 

From this, we have taken to the city adding areas of flowers and greenery to unused spaces. We aim to make the city more green, adding more life back into the concrete city.

Zines

The design festival is being made to entice the public, make them see their city in a different way. A simple way of achieving this is through a zine. This is a collection of images and words to create a small booklet. For our zines we have thought of a simple colour scheme, by changing the hue to create a green/blue tinge to our images. These images are some examples of what could be put in the zine. 

Tribeca Film Festival

Video

On the idea of lights and decorating the city, the Tribeca film festival has made an interesting installation. They have taken a building that is always there and changed the design and colouring. The small light pieces completely change the focal point of the building and creates a buzz around it.

For our festival we want to create light paths and lighting off rooftops. Simple pieces but mass produced can create very interesting and beautiful pieces. 

Public Participation

One of the main aspects of our festival is to create an environment for the public to get involved with, for the art to be made and appreciated through public participation. We have found it hard to think of ideas that will entice the public enough to take part. We have come up with some simple ideas that could be made into a participation booklet, with pages that can be removed and simple instructions of things to do in different areas.

A group that has captured the public's interest to the point where people willingly join in is 'Daily Tous les Jours'.

Daily Tous les Jours  

They have created pieces and ideas that people want to get involved with. The photographs that come from these events also are very intriguing.

City Camp - Castricum

CITY CAMP

In this project, the town of Castricum became a campsite for all. The only rule was the bring your own tent, creating your own space. A few artists got involved and created hand made tents from recycled objects, challenging what we can do with the idea of 'tents'. 

From this we had the idea of having temporary structures around Manchester for our festival. The structures being made from recycled materials, with the possibility of having our logo projected onto them or promotional videos being shown on them. Here are examples of simple, recycled structures.